Business to raise funds to combat juvenile diabetes

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LANCASTER - Advance Auto Parts store manager Troy Jackson is planning a fun way to fight the serious issue of juvenile diabetes.

Jackson and his staff hope to raise $5,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday during Kids Day.

The festivities will take place in the parking lot of the store at 819 Main St., which opened in 2007.

"Absolutely anything for the kids," Jackson said on Thursday. "I see kids coming into the store with disabilities, and it gets to you. We try to treat them with as much love and kindness as you can."

The store raised $3,300 during the event in 2007 - the highest amount raised in the company's region which covers Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

Visitors to the store are urged to donate what they can to find a cure for juvenile, or Type 1, diabetes. Jackson also is seeking donations from local businesses.

Those visiting the store that day will be treated to free hot dogs and ice cream.

"I wanted to do something different this year," Jackson said. "Everyone has a golf outing or a car show. But we wanted to do something fun for the kids."

Kids Day will take place rain or shine.

"Hey, if it rains, I'll just get wet making hot dogs," Jackson said.

Kids Day is in conjunction with Advance's national effort to raise money for the JDRF.

Jackson said the company has raised $14 million nationally for the Foundation during the years.

Juvenile diabetes was a pet project of Arthur Tuabman, founder of Advance Auto Parts, and that is why the company still raises money to fight it, Jackson said.

Although diabetes cannot be cured, it can be controlled with insulin injections, according to the JDRF Web site.

Those with diabetes do not produce insulin. Without insulin, glucose builds up in the blood system, which can cause high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia.

High blood sugar for an extended period of time can lead to a coma or death.